Page 49 of Of Pranks and Passion

“I’m a comedian,” Chuckles said proudly.

“Yeah, starving comedian maybe,” Angel muttered under his breath. That got him a middle finger from Chuckles, and he returned the rude gesture before giving his full attention to me. “I’m in art school right now, but I make money on the side as a model for students in other classes.”

“He’s the only one of us brave enough to sell his body for cash,” Chuckles grinned, ducking when Angel tossed a soggy piece of bread at him. I sucked in a breath, worried they’d stain the carpet or something, but Easton didn’t seem to care. He finished his food, put his bowl on the coffee table, and moved me back to his lap, like I belonged there. I melted and felt my cheeks burn. I was going to need a serious chat with myself later about not getting too worked up about stuff like this. He was only being nice because I got hurt.

We spent most of the morning like that, chatting and eating good food. Coach brought dessert, since he said I deserved it, and everyone thankedmebefore digging into homemade apple pie. Easton gave them dirty looks for it, but I didn’t mind. They were just teasing. And I liked that they didn’t treat me like a delicate flower. They were caring but not pitying, and it felt good to have so many people on my side.

Of course, the happiness couldn’t last forever. Later in the afternoon, Easton got a call from the sergeant from the night before. He said they found the guy and wanted me to look at a lineup to be sure. Which meant I had to leave the safety of Easton’s apartment to face my attacker head on. I should be grateful they found him so quickly. Right?

“Here.”

Easton dropped another heavy sweater on top of my head, smirking at me when I pulled it on over my borrowed clothes. Angel assured me I didn’t need to dress up to go look at a lineup, and I still didn’t look forward to eventually returning to myroom, even to get a change of clothes. It freaked me out that the guy knew where I lived. I stuck with what Easton gave me.

“Should I be worried about how many hoodies you’ve been stealing from me?” Easton teased, distracting me from my turmoil, as usual.

I stuck my tongue out at him. “Boyfriends give up all rights to their hoodies when they start relationships. It’s a rule.”

We were only fake boyfriends, but it still counted. And I couldn’t make myself feel an ounce of guilt for stealing his clothes. They smelled like him and made me feel safe.

Easton didn't look put out about it, smirking and tossing his arm around my neck once I had my shoes on. They were the only thing on me that actually belonged to me. It made me feel more confident facing my attacker when I was literally wrapped up in Easton. If I could bottle this feeling, I’d never have to work again in my life.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

GARY

The nightof Brienna’s party, I was a bundle of nerves. I was supposed to be there an hour early to help set up, and my phone had been ringing off the hook with my dad demanding to know where I was. I hadn’t heard a word from Brienna, or my mom for that matter, but I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth about that one. She was either too busy or planning something sinister in retribution. Hopefully, with Easton and my friends there, she’d be dissuaded from doing anything in public.

“Where’s Easton?”

He was supposed to go with me, but after dropping me off at The Hideout so Angel could help me cover up what was left of my bruising, he said he had somewhere to be and would be back later. He hadn’t returned yet, and it was making me nervous.

“He’ll be here,” Angel murmured as he focused on my face. “Stop moving or you’ll mess me up, and I’ll have to start over. I don’t want to press too hard and hurt you.”

It’d been a week since my attack, and the guy who had attacked me had been arrested. Most of the bruising had faded except for the worst bits, but Angel refused to let me face downmy sister with any hint of what had happened on my face. He didn’t want her to think she’d won anything.

Smiley and Chuckles were on the couch, sharing a joint. There had been some deliberation about everyone showing up sober in case Brienna did something stupid, but Chuckles pointed out it’d probably piss her off more if they showed up smelling like weed. Her parties were usually pretty fancy, and no one ever came to them high.

Angel dressed up a little, but since he was a guy wearing a skirt and makeup, it’d probably still make her livid. He was going to outshine the birthday girl.

Coach came in from outside, tucking his phone into his pocket. “Phantom got held up. He said he’d meet us there. Everyone ready?”

My heart plummeted, and I gave Angel an uneasy look. I didn’t think I could do this without him.

“Don’t worry,” Angel said, squeezing my shoulder reassuringly. “Phantom may be a chaos monster, but he doesn’t break his promises. He said he’ll be there. He’ll be there. And we’ll be with you until he arrives.”

Coach came up behind me, putting his huge hand on top of my head. “Angel’s right. He’ll be there. He just had to do something, and it was taking longer than he expected. Besides, no one will mess with you while we’re with you.”

He was probably right. I just got used to my chaos shield. I felt safest with Easton. He would sooner tear people apart than let them even look at me wrong.

I ignored the now familiar flutter in my chest. Easton had been more hands on since I got hurt. I knew he didn’t mean it as anything more than giving me the comfort I needed, but it was getting harder not to catch feelings. Oh, who was I kidding? I was well past that. It was going to get harder to hide it if I wasn’t careful, though.

Bolstering my courage, I followed my friends to the car to meet my sister and my family. They were my friends now, too. Easton didn’t hover when we were at his apartment or The Hideout, and I got to know them all individually. I liked them all, but Angel and I were closest, much to Easton’s chagrin. We commiserated about shitty professors and early morning classes. He showed me his favorite tv shows, and I showed him some of the more filthy books in my kindle library. I might love the classics, but there was nothing wrong with a little smut either.

The drive to the restaurant where Brienna’s party was taking place this year took forever and passed too quickly at the same time. I was nervous. I hadn’t seen my sister since I left for college. Even as an adult, I was still afraid of earning her wrath. She already proved she’d make me suffer if I did something as silly as making her wait a few days for the money she wanted.

When we pulled up in front of the address I’d been given by my dad, I frowned. Normally, Brienna’s parties were held in a lot more lavish locations. This place looked like your average Italian restaurant. Maybe it was nicer inside? Or she had some kind of connection with the owner?

While considering the reasons, Coach pulled into the parking lot, and I shuffled out of the back seat of the car. We’d all piled into Coach’s sedan, and I lost the scramble for the front, so I’d been squashed in the middle seat in the back. I honestly didn’t mind. I liked being surrounded by my friends. They all got out with me, and I took a few steadying breaths before looking at Angel.

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